Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Keokuk County 4-H members attend Iowa 4-H Youth State Conference at Iowa State University
Youth Experience Leadership, Learning, and College Life in Ames
Jul. 14, 2025 10:12 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
SIGOURNEY — Four Keokuk County 4-H members, and one non-4-H participant, traveled to Ames to attend the 2025 Iowa 4-H Youth State Conference, held June 24—26 on the campus of Iowa State University. This annual event brings together hundreds of 4-H’ers from across the state for three days of learning, leadership, and fun.
This year’s conference featured three exciting tracks for youth to explore:
Mission Moon — STEM and space exploration
Choose Your Adventure — A variety of interest-based workshops and activities
Animal Science Round Up — A focused track for youth passionate about animal agriculture
Participants experienced a taste of college life by staying in ISU dorms, eating in dining centers, and navigating campus, while also attending interactive workshops, hearing from motivational guest speakers, and even dancing the night away at the popular evening social.
“This event is a fantastic way for youth to grow their independence and confidence while exploring topics they care about,” said Ashley Yedlik, Keokuk County Youth Coordinator. “It’s also a fun way for them to experience life on a college campus and connect with 4-H’ers from all over Iowa.”
The Iowa 4-H Youth Conference is open to any Iowa youth who have completed 8th grade, whether they’re in 4-H or not. It remains one of the largest youth leadership experiences in the state, giving young people the opportunity to develop communication, citizenship, and career-readiness skills.